The widespread devastation wrought by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan has deeply touched and saddened our UW community. Our hearts go out to the people of Japan as they grapple with the aftermath of these tragic events.

Fortunately, all UW students and faculty who were in Japan when the earthquake struck on March 11 have been accounted for and are unharmed. Since then, on March 16, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Japan, strongly urging U.S. citizens to defer travel to Japan and those in Japan to consider departing. The UW Office of Global Affairs has cancelled all International Programs and Exchanges programs in Japan effective immediately and is working to assist the 17 UW students who are still in Japan to depart.

While we are relieved that our students and faculty who were in Japan when the earthquake occurred are safe, we are also mindful that there is a staggering number of people who are not. Thousands of lives have been lost, and thousands of others are injured, homeless, or missing. The nuclear crisis has added even more anxiety and urgency to what was already an all but unfathomable situation. We have more than 200 students from Japan, and it is hard to imagine how much concern they in particular must feel for their family, friends, and loved ones in their home country.